The NWU Eagles survived a second-half onslaught from the UCT Ikey Tigers to secure their first Varsity Cup title since 2016 in a thrilling final in Potchefstroom on Monday night.
A brace from hooker Vernon Paulo, to go with a try from fullback Tino Swanepoel set the physically dominant Eagles on their way to victory as the hosts went into the break 11 points ahead at half time, before they were made to work hard in the second half to win 27-25.
FULL TIME and the @theNWU Eagles have held on in a thriller to beat the @ikeytigers by two points to win the FNB Varsity Cup 2023 tournament!
FNB NWU 27 – 25 FNB UCT#RugbyThatRocks proudly brought to you by @FNBSA , @SteersSA and @Suzuki_ZA pic.twitter.com/UbCBOBfIXa
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 17, 2023
It was just NWU’s second Varsity Cup title and their first final win on home soil, with their previous win coming at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
For parts of the second half, it appeared that there could be a repeat of the infamous 2014 final, when the Ikey Tigers came from behind and snatched the title from NWU’s hands with a try after the hooter.
UCT came out firing after the break and closed the gap when lock Rynhardt Crous went over for a converted point-of-origin try from close range, after some fantastic continuity between forwards and backs. The visitors then almost took the lead, but for a knock-on from Duran Koevort after a fantastic linebreak from the fullback.
Crous in the house! 21 phases for the @ikeytigers and Reynhart Crous adds his name to the scoresheet.#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/hjiqr2P8n1
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 17, 2023
Swanepoel’s second try extended NWU’s lead, but UCT made it a nervous finish when replacement loose forward Jacques van der Walt dived over to bring the visitors to within three points of the lead.
Another moment of magic from Tino Swanepoel!
He collects the tactical kick and then puts in a delicious grubber and chases it down for his @theNWU brace!#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/F7ojwUNfPV
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 17, 2023
Try as they might, UCT couldn’t find their way through the Eagles defence for a potential winner as the home side held on for a memorable win.
NWU EAGLES ARE THE 2023 VARSITY CUP CHAMPIONS ? pic.twitter.com/cL0YQIIb6d
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) April 17, 2023
The party in Potch will go long into the night as the NWU Eagles receive the Varsity Cup trophy ? pic.twitter.com/lkfSKy27R6
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) April 17, 2023
Photo: BARCO GREEFF